Bonnie Dahan, Founder of VivaTerra :: Keynote SpeakerBonnie
Trust Dahan created VivaTerra, an online and catalog collection of
stylish, ecofriendly home furnishings in 2004. Throughout her career as
an executive with Smith & Hawken and Banana Republic, an author of
several healthy living books and creator of greeting cards, herbal
teas and skin care products, Dahan realized that conscientious shoppers
often had to sacrifice their sense of style to make handmade,
earth-friendly purchases. So, she decided to prove that elegance and
ecology could co-exist. Dahan and the VivaTerra collection garnered a
nationwide following, landing the cover of Real Simple magazine and
Time Magazine's Design and Style issue. VivaTerra has also been
featured in the New York Times, Oprah's "O" magazine, Elle Décor,
Metropolitan Home, People, and on Good Morning America and the Today
Show. VivaTerra was recently sold, and Dahan has established a
consulting practice focused on innovative brand and product development. Bonnie lives in beautiful Marin County with her husband, and spends time with their adult children and grandchildren every chance she gets.

﻿Julie Gordon White :: The WELL for Women Entrepreneurs & Creator of SYMPOSIA﻿After working with hundreds of business owners as founder and CEO of BlueKey Business Brokerage Mergers & Acquisitions. In 2012, Julie founded The WELL for Women Entrepreneurs to teach women business owners the strategies and tactics of how to grow to a million and someday sell for a million. Julie is also VP of the San Francisco chapter of NAWBO and a member of Women Presidents Organization for the last 7 years. In 2011, Julie published an Amazon bestselling book, "EXIT! 12 Steps to Sell Your Business for the Price You Deserve”, has been an American Express OPEN Achievement Award recipient, and was named a SF Business Times Woman of Distinction. Julie and her husband David live in Berkeley with their children ages 21, 16 and 13, and creating the SYMPOSIA Conference has been her dream come true!

Stella Carakasi :: Stella Carakasi Design HouseStella has been the Head of Design for Two Star Dog, Inc. for over 20 years, and the company was celebrated as an early adapter of eco-fashion. In 2012, Two Star Dog launched the Stella Carakasi label under her name. “I cater to women who have busy lives and want to feel fabulous effortlessly” she says. Stella is active in local and international charities and continues to advocate social justice and environmental responsibility through sponsorship and sound business practices. Stella lives in the East Bay with her husband and business partner, and their own little future fashionista.

Tracy McCubbin :: dClutterfly & One Kid One WorldWith a minor in accounting from UC Santa Barbara, Tracy started using her bookkeeping skills to help run small businesses around Los Angeles, but it was being a personal assistant to a major television director for five years that opened the door to her organizing business. Having the ability to see through any mess and envision a space that is clutter-free, coupled with her keen time-management and organizational skills, Tracy soon found friends and friends of friends were asking her to help them tackle large paperwork and moving projects. Before she knew it, she had a de-cluttering and organizing business, so in January 2007, she officially launched dClutterfly. Now seven years and over 800 clients later, dClutterfly has been named “Best in Nest” by DailyCandy and has received the Super Service Award from Angie's List for 5 years. Tracy is also a regularly featured expert on KTLA Morning Show, KCAL9, and Good Day Sacramento. Tracy recently moved from the heart of Hollywood to a swanky new loft in Downtown LA.

Sharon Rubens, CPA :: Rubens Partners LLPSharon is the founding partner of Rubens Partners LLP and has more than 25 years of experience as a Certified Public Accountant and consultant, and is the recipient of the Elijah Watt Sells national award for achieving exceptionally high scores on the CPA examination. After 13 years with another firm and contributing to its growth from 13 to 45 associates, Sharon leveraged her expertise to form her own premier, boutique CPA firm that caters to closely-held businesses and high net-worth individuals. Since 2006, Rubens Partners LLP has delivered personalized business and tax advice to a growing clientele, due in large part to Sharon's philosophy of listening to her clients and her unwavering commitment to meeting their needs. Community involvement is also important to Sharon. She is a trustee for the Walnut Creek Education Foundation K-12 and a member of the Finance Committee for the Reutlinger Community for Jewish Living. She is also involved with Sustainable Lafayette and Shelter, Inc. In Sharon's free time, she is a wife, mom to 2 college aged kids and plays 2nd base for the Rubens Partners softball team, "The Itemizers!"

Leslie Barber :: Intuit & NutraBella Leslie Barber passionately advocates for small business success in her role as Small Business Engagement Officer at Intuit QuickBooks. As a small business owner herself for over eight years, Leslie understands the daily challenges and sweet successes of running a business. Leslie joined Intuit to share her experiences with more small business owners and to make running their businesses easier with QuickBooks. Before joining Intuit, in 2014 Leslie co-founded NutraBella, Inc. which produces prenatal nutrition and vitamin products for women during and after pregnancy. The company offers delectable snacks and supplements to nourish women who are trying to conceive, moms-to-be, and new mothers, including chewable mixed fruit-flavored daily prenatal supplements, prenatal chewable vitamins, DHA soft chews, delectable chews, and prenatal snackbars. Today, NutraBella products are available online; and through retailers such as Babies R Us, grocery, and natural food stores in the United States. Leslie lives with her husband and sparkling young daughter in Silicon Valley.

Lara Truppelli :: Chalet Management, Inc.Lara and her husband opened the Beach Chalet Brewery & Restaurant in San Francisco on New Year's Eve of 1996 in the iconic and historic Beach Chalet at Golden Gate Park overlooking Ocean Beach. In 2004, the Truppelli's expanded their vision and built the Park Chalet Garden Restaurant, directly behind the Beach Chalet. In 2009, the Chalet brand traveled eastward with the development of The Lake Chalet Seafood Bar & Grill in Oakland's historic Boat House on beautiful Lake Merritt. In addition, they operate a commissary that provides fresh products to all of the restaurants and is also home to their newest property, Honor Kitchen & Cocktails in Emeryville. As co-owner, Lara directs the executive team and drives the culture and community for the company. Lara is also the former VP of the Golden Gate Restaurant Association, founding officer of the SF Brewers Guild and a board director for the International Rivers Network, the Namaste Foundation, SANDob, the Ocean Beach Master Plan and co-founder of the Merede & Barbara Graham Art Scholarship Fund. Lara and her partner-husband Gar live in Marin along with their children ages 21, 16 and 14.

Dezerai Seitzer :: Global TeasDezerai's passion for tea has taken her on adventures all over the world. Whether it's a cup of tea enjoyed in a cold misty mountain monastery with monks, or in the sweltering heat of the Fijian islands on a bamboo floor mat; tea is a universal language. But before she ever experienced that first sip of Vanilla tea, she had an experience that would permeate her life in even deeper ways. At the age of 15, Dezerai participated in her first overseas volunteer trip and was astonished to see such poverty and needs which could be easily met through small amounts of money and people willing to donate their time. It was through those experiences that she has chosen 3 non-profits to benefit from the sale of her teas. By offering people the opportunity to give back through the purchase of Global Teas, she hopes to turn the money they donate each year into the collective power of money from people all across the United States, because small acts, when done by many, can change the world. Dezerai lives in the stunning Napa Valley with her husband and a husky named Cash.

FAQs Who should attend SYMPOSIA?SYMPOSIA :: 2015 is designed to education and inspire women business owners in all industries who want to grow a bigger business, be more profitable, and have direct access to experienced women entrepreneurs who have been in your shoes and pushed beyond.

What if my business is still in the start-up phase?First, congratulations for thinking BIG from the start! SYMPOSIA is for women who feel driven to grow a successful company and promises to serve golden nuggets to all attendees including start-ups, seasoned, and seven-figure entrepreneurs.

Are men welcome?Any man smart enough to attend a conference for women entrepreneurs is always welcome at SYMPOSIA!

How about children?We love entrepreneurial-minded girls 13 years or older.

How should I get there?We recommend taking BART; the Embarcadero station is just outside the front walkway of the learning center. If you prefer to drive, parking is available nearby, but be sure to confirm a garage and payment options before you come.

Can I register at the door?Sorry, no. The policies of the learning center don't allow us to accept money at the door, so registration must be in advance.

If I can't make it, is my registration transferable?Yes, please just send us an email prior to the event so we can note our records.

I am with the media and would like to do a story. Who should I contact?Thanks in advance! Please contact our Media Director:Angie Barnesangie@chatterboxmediarelations.com317.490.3438

If I have any more questions, what should I do?Contact us! We are thrilled to answer your questions. Please contact:Julie Gordon WhiteJulie@GrowatTheWELL.comPhone / Text: 510.812.2233